Summary
Bengals make run to Super Bowl LVI: On the strength of one of the NFL's most talented young rosters, the Bengals cruised to a 10-7 record, AFC North title, AFC Conference championship and berth in Super Bowl LVI. Cincinnati's tight-knit locker room and charismatic young stars captured the affection of the fan base, as the team embarked on one of the most exciting and successful runs in Bengals history. Second-year QB Joe Burrow posted team records for passing yardage (4611), passing TDs (34) and passer rating (108.3) en route to being named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. His primary target was rookie WR Ja'Marr Chase, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft who brought familiarity with Burrow after teaming with him in college at LSU, where they won a national championship in 2019. Chase, who won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (AP), put together one of the top rookie seasons ever by a WR (see "The rundown on Chase" on page 9), and teamed with second-year WR Tee Higgins and sixth-year slot WR Tyler Boyd to form one of the NFL's most productive WR trios. Fifth-year HB Joe Mixon proved to be one of the NFL's top RBs, and posted career-highs in rushing yardage (1205) and total TDs (16), while seventh year TE C.J. Uzomah, the longest-tenured Bengal on offense, put together a career year of his own — 49 catches, 493 yards and five TDs.
Cincinnati's defense showed well in 2020, thanks to a bevy of new faces and young players stepping into major roles. DE Trey Hendrickson, an unrestricted free agent signee in March, recorded the second-most sacks (14) in team history (see "Trey's 14 sacks second-most by a Bengal" on page 11), while bookend DE Sam Hubbard, a Cincinnati native, posted 7.5 while proving to be one of the top DEs in the NFL against the run (see "Hubbard a Day 2 draft steal" on page 12). At NT, 347-pound D.J. Reader returned after his first Bengals season was cut short by injury, and he helped Cincinnati's 2021 run defense improve 24 spots over the '20 squad (see "Healthy Reader leads stout D-line" on page 12). DTs Larry Ogunjobi and B.J. Hill — both playing their first Bengals seasons — rotated next to Reader and combined for 12.5 sacks. At LB, second-year pro Logan Wilson made the leap from 2020 rotational player to '21 starter, green-dot communicator and one of the NFL's top young LBs. Wilson's four INTs, led the team, tied for the NFL lead among LBs, and counted as the most by a Bengals LB in 16 years (see "Logan's four INTs tied for LB lead" on page 12). The secondary was led by a pair of team captains at S in Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III, who combined for three key INTs and a sack during the Bengals' playoff run (see "Mr. Reliable wears No. 30" on page 13, and "Bell rings of reliability" on page 13). All three of Cincinnati's starting CBs were new to the team in 2021 — Eli Apple, Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton — and each had a pair of INTs.
Along with Chase, Cincinnati's other star rookie was K Evan McPherson, a 22-year-old fifth-round pick out of the University of Florida whose leg strength (see "McPherson from deep" on page 14) and reliability under pressure (see "'Shooter McPherson' perfect in playoffs" on page 14) turned him into an immediate fan favorite. McPherson said before the season that he had never even been in position to make a game-winning kick, then he proceeded to hit five "walk-off" FGs as a rookie — in his first NFL game (Sept. 12 vs. Minnesota), his first primetime game (Thursday Night Football on Sept. 30 vs. Jacksonville), one to clinch the AFC North title (Jan. 2 vs. Kansas City), a 52-yarder in below freezing temperatures to send Cincinnati to the AFC Championship (Divisional Playoff at Tennessee), and another to send Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI (AFC Championship at Kansas City). The Bengals found themselves very much in the playoff picture at their Week 10 bye and surged in the second half of the year against a difficult schedule. Cincinnati notched four lopsided wins over Pittsburgh and Baltimore to eventually finish 4-2 in the division and secure an AFC North title. The last of those was a record-setting 41-21 performance on Dec. 26 against Baltimore, which put the Bengals in the driver's seat in the AFC North. Burrow and the Bengals left little doubt about their prospects against the Ravens, as the second year QB passed for a Bengals-record 525 yards, the fourth-highest single-game total in NFL history (see "Burrow's big days vs. Ravens" on page 8). The next week, Cincinnati came out victorious in a win-and-in matchup at Paul Brown Stadium against perennial-power Kansas City and QB Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs held three different 14-point leads, however the Bengals allowed just three second-half points while Chase posted a Bengals-record and NFL-rookie-record 266 receiving yards and three TDs
View the best game action photos as the Bengals faced the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) is stopped by Los Angeles Rams players during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, left, sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Bengals head coach on the sideline coaching during the first half of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, Calif.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins secures a 7-yard touchdown pass from running back Joe Mixon during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) carries the ball during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Bengals enter the field during pregame introductions at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, Calif.
Defensive tackle B.J. Hill celebrates after tackling Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers for a loss during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI.
Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson converge on a tackle during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor watches during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Cincinnati Bengals inside linebacker Logan Wilson (55) drops into coverage against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 in Inglewood, CA. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) kicks for three point during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wide receiver Tee Higgins celebrates in the end zone after making a touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Running back Joe Mixon cuts to his right on a rush in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Running back Joe Mixon flexes after rushing for a first down in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates with quarterback Joe Burrow after Mixon threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Cincinnati Bengals defense celebrates in the end zone after a Jessie Bates III interception of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVi.
Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase makes a one-handed catch against the Los Angeles Rams Jalen Ramsey in the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins makes a leaping catch over Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a 75-yard touchdown on Sunday, February 23th, 2022 in Super Bowl LVI.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins celebrates his second touchdown of Super Bowl LVI, a 75-yard strike from Joe Burrow on Sunday, February 13th, 2022.
Quarterback Joe Burrow scrambles up the middle against the Los Angeles Rams defense in Super Bowl LVI.
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie intercepts the Matthew Stafford pass in the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) intercepts the ball against Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek (18) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Defensive end Sam Hubbard celebrates after making a tackle for loss against the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates with Kevin Huber (10) after a field goal against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cincinnati Bengals nose tackle D.J. Reader (98) celebrates a sack on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) runs with the ball as Los Angeles Rams free safety Taylor Rapp (24) attempts to tackle during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams (11) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) is tackled by a host of Cincinnati Bengals defense during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Coaching Staff
| COACH | POSITION |
|---|---|
| Zac Taylor | Head Coach |
| Lou Anarumo | Defensive Coordinator |
| Colt Anderson | Assistant Special Teams |
| James Bettcher | Linebackers |
| Joey Boese | Strength and Conditioning |
| Charles Burks | Secondary/Cornerbacks |
| Brian Callahan | Offensive Coordinator |
| James Casey | Tight Ends |
| Mark Duffner | Senior Defensive Assistant |
| Derek Frazier | Assistant Offensive Live |
| Justin Hill | Running Backs |
| Marion Hobby | Defensive Line |
| Todd Hunt | Assistant Strength and Conditioning |
| Jordan Kovacs | Assistant Linebackers |
| Brad Kragthorpe | Assistant Wide Recievers |
| Robert Livingston | Secondary/Safeties |
| Ben Martin | Assistant Offensive Line |
| Dan Pitcher | Quarterbacks |
| Frank Pollack | Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator |
| Darrin Simmons | Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator |
| Garrett Swanson | Assistant Strength and Conditioning |
| Troy Walters | Wide Receivers |
2021 NFL Draft: April 29-May 1
| ROUND | PLAYER | POSITION | COLLEGE | SELECTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ja'Marr Chase | WR | LSU | 5 |
| 2 | Jackson Carman | T | Clemson | 46 |
| 3 | Joesph Ossai | LB | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Cameron Sample | DE | Tulane | 111 |
| 4 | Tyler Shelvin | DT | LSU | 122 |
| 4 | D'Ante Smith | T | East Carolina | 139 |
| 5 | Evan McPherson | K | Florida | 149 |
| 6 | Trey Hill | OL | Georgia | 190 |
| 6 | Chris Evans | RB | Michigan | 202 |
| 7 | Wyatt Hubert | DE | Kansas St. | 235 |
